Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted another batch of seven containers with 1,229,400 bottles of codeine worth N9,835,200,000.00.

 

The shipments were seized at the Onne Ports in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State.

 

The seizure comes barely three weeks after 6,125 cartons of codeine syrup worth N7,350,000,000.00 were intercepted in Rivers.

 

A statement on Friday by the agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, said the latest seizure is the fourth and last set of such consignments that had been under the watch list of the Agency’s Maritime Special Operations Unit Targeting Team.

 

Babafemi said, “Barely three weeks after seizing 6,125 cartons of codeine syrup containing 1,050,000 bottles of the opioid worth over N7,350,000,000.00 in street value, at the Port Harcourt Ports complex, Onne, Rivers State, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have again intercepted another batch of seven containers bearing one million two hundred and twenty-nine thousand four hundred bottles of the same substance worth over N9,835,200,000.00 at the Onne ports.

 

“The latest seizure made on Thursday, July 18, 2024, is the fourth and last set of such consignments that have been under the watchlist of the Agency’s Maritime Special Operations Unit Targeting Team, which worked in partnership with the Port Harcourt Ports Command of the Agency and other security agencies including the Customs Service for a 100 percent joint examination of the targeted containers.”

 

Babafemi said during a joint examination with other security agencies on Thursday, seven containers were found to contain 8,774 cartons of codeine-based cough syrup, totaling 1,229,400 bottles and weighing 184,410 kilograms.

 

He said, “This followed credible intelligence and months of diligent tracking of the consignments from their port of departure. At the joint examination of the containers with other security agencies on Thursday, all seven containers were found bearing a total of 8,774 cartons of codeine-based cough syrup with 1,229,400 bottles weighing 184,410 kilograms.

 

“A breakdown of the shipments that came from India via the Maersk Vigo Vessel shows that the container marked SEKU 6439421 has 875 cartons with 175,000 bottles of codeine weighing 26,250 kg. Other items in the container include 70 cartons of chili cutters and 55 cartons of Hyregra tablets weighing 1,100 kg.”

 

He added, “Another container marked CMAU 9410422 contains 875 cartons of codeine with 175,000 bottles weighing 26,250 kg. Other items in the container include 15 cartons of chili cutters and 60 cartons of Hyregra tablets weighing 1,200 kg. Also, the container marked TLLU 7595503 has a total of 1,754 cartons of codeine syrup containing 179,400 bottles weighing 26,910 kg.

 

“Four other containers marked: TRHU 515117; CMAU 7877125; CMAU 8533700; and CMAU 3882205 contain 175,000 bottles of the same substance each in addition to other items such as chili cutters, cartons of Hyregra tablets, and diclofenac used to mask the shipments.”

 

In his response to the latest seizure, Chairman/ Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig Gen Buba Marwa (retd) commended all the officers, men, and women of the various formations of the Agency that had been working on the targeted containers for months for their diligence, vigilance, and professionalism.

 

Babafemi said, “Marwa equally praised the support received from other stakeholders at the ports that enabled the seamless and successful operations in the course of targeting the shipments. He said the operation, which had inflicted heavy losses on the cartels behind the shipments, has further degraded their capacity and financial base.”

 

Meanwhile, in a daring move, the Federal Operation Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the interception of a whopping 1,500 bulletproof jackets valued at over N1.687 billion. This high-stakes operation unfolded along the Ijebu-Ode-Shagamu road in Ogun State.

 

In addition to this major haul, the Unit also seized 989 kilograms of Indian hemp (Cannabis Sativa), 5,229 cartons of expired drugs, and various other contraband items, with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) exceeding a staggering N3.636 billion.

 

During a press briefing in Lagos on Thursday, Comptroller Kola Oladeji, the Area Controller of Customs for the Unit, emphasized the firm and resolute actions that resulted in these seizures in various locations in the South-Western States. He expressed worry about the lack of an end-user certificate for the bulletproof jackets, prompting questions about their intended destination.

 

“We are currently probing to ascertain the destination of these bulletproof jackets. There is a likelihood they are connected to the ammunition recently intercepted at Onne Port in Rivers State,” Oladeji mentioned.

 

Under Schedule Four of the Customs Common External Tariff (CET), the importation of military wares by individuals is strictly prohibited. An End-User Certificate (EUC) is crucial for importing controlled items into Nigeria, ensuring their lawful use within the country and preventing unauthorized transfer or re-export without the written consent of the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).

 

In June, there were also significant seizures, including: 343,750 liters of premium motor spirit (PMS); 7,150 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50 kg each); 32 used motor vehicles; 120 bags of sugar (50 kg each); and 3,560 cartons of poultry products.

 

Four suspects were captured for breaching import/export rules, concealment, misclassification, smuggling, and violating policy directives. The Unit also regained N62.017 million in revenue for June 2024 by conducting thorough documentary verifications and issuing Demand Notices on shipments that had underpaid Customs duties.

 

Comptroller Oladeji cautioned about the serious health hazards caused by expired medications, which can harm kidneys and livers, trigger allergies, and weaken immunity. He also emphasized the perils of illicit drug usage, connecting it to mental health challenges and criminal activities.

 

“I call on all patriotic citizens to provide valuable and prompt information that can lead to the apprehension of those engaged in the illegal importation of military items, illicit drugs, and fake goods. Importers and licensed agents should make truthful declarations, follow existing import and export regulations, and steer clear of the danger of losing their goods,” Oladeji urged.

 

He wrapped up by stressing the significance of community collaboration in backing the Nigeria Customs Service’s endeavors to combat unlawful activities and safeguard public health and safety.